HELP! IBD Dilemma

So I just got an offer from PFM Group. For those who don't know PFM is the leading Public Finance Investment Banking Advisory company. I have been out of school for 1.5 years, been working in a BB Ops/Middle Office. I always wanted to break into IBD and here is my chance I guess. The only problem is that PFM starts off their starting analyst at a pretty low pay compared to industry, a 5K drop from my current role.

Should I take the PFM gig? and will it help me develop better IBD opportunities in 5 years, considering I stay with them for 2-3 years?

Also, internal movement to FO from BO is limited needless to say and chances are slim.

Thanks in advance for the advice

 
Best Response

From my perspective, I'd take the front office gig. You already have a namebrand on your resume (even if it was middle-back office), and now you can move front office at a less prestigious bank, but be in IBD. If you did well in undergrad, than you can get into a solid MBA, then move to "real" front office as an associate afterwords...

That's just my view - I tend to place extremely low value on how much money one makes early on in their career though... if you actually NEED money for any reason (you have student loans, etc), then it may be a different story.

 

Take the new job. You've already got whatever benefit you'll get from the BB name because BO position won't drastically change over the next 1-2 (or many) years.

With the new role it helps illustrate: A) You're interested in more analytical work, and you've made an aggressive effort to branch out and get it B) Greater variety of skill sets and responsibility

 

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